The Joy of Aging is a unique annual event for life-loving women over 40 who cherish their health and intend to keep it. We know you care as much about your mind as you do about your body. By popular demand, our focus this year is- Igniting The Spark In Your Relationship-for you and everyone close to your heart. You’ll laugh, you’ll be inspired and you’ll enjoy a very special morning out featuring a delicious healthy breakfast, live music, sponsor booths featuring interesting services and products, an outstanding silent auction and fabulous gift bags.

Christine Bentley

News Anchor & Journalist

Known to millions in Canada’s largest broadcast market, Christine is an accomplished media personality, journalist, news anchor, community advocate and long-time champion of empowering women.

Her most recent venture is the launch of a Women for Women talk show , called What She Said. Together with colleagues Kate Wheeler and Sharon Caddy, the show aims to inform and inspire women across North America in its’ 10 to noon daily time slot on Canada Talks, channel 167 on Sirius XM.

For three decades she was the voice of the highest rated evening news in North America’s 5th largest market, CTV Toronto. Christine was the voice and face of the 6 o’clock, the 11:30 pm and the Noon news over her 35 year career at CTV.

During a transformational time in broadcasting, Christine forged her career by connecting with community supporters, mentoring up-and-coming female journalists, and earning the respect of industry titans. Most importantly for her, she became a trusted visitor in the homes of hundreds of thousands of viewers every night.

Christine has always been passionate and tireless in her involvement with the community, for which she has earned numerous awards: Woman of the Year, The Paul Harris Fellowship Award and most recently a Star on the Scarborough Walk of Fame.

2014 Panel Members

Valerie Gibson

Valerie Gibson is a well-known Canadian relationships expert, writer and media personality and is considered one of North America’s top experts on contemporary love, sex, relationships and dating.

She was the relationships and advice columnist for a Toronto newspaper and created the first editorial column in Canada by a woman about her personal experiences in marriage, dating, love and sex. The addition of a question and answer advice column Dear Val became very popular and helped thousands of readers.

When her second book was published – Cougar: A Guide forOlder Women Dating Younger Men – itlaunched the “cougar” trend internationally and coined a new word in the English language. The book made her the vocal advocate of joyful sexuality and self empowerment for mid and late-life women and she has been interviewed by magazines Time, Esquire, Details, GQ, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Elle, InStyle and newspapers such as the L.A. Times, USA Today, The Daily Mail and the Sunday Times.

A radio and television personality across Canada and the U.S., Valerie has been featured on many top U.S. shows – Dr. Phil, Prime Time Live, Montel Williams, Maury, CNBC’s The Big Idea, NBC’s Today Show and CNN. She’s also a frequent guest on many Canadian television and radio shows and has been in a number of documentaries.

For two years she was the host of her own unique, hour-long, live television show Dear Valerie where she gave instant, honest and realistic relationship advice to everyone who called in and e-mailed.

Her latest e-book THE LATER DATER: A Guide For The Newly Single Woman Over 50 is aimed at helping single women find and enjoy another relationship, whether same age, older or younger. It focuses on guiding them with honesty and realistic advice through the complex modern dating world.

Valerie says it gives her great satisfaction and pleasure to help men and women in mid and late life manage and resolve their relationship issues so they can enjoy the wonderful adventure of aging and, especially, each other.

Dr. Jessica O’Reilly,PhD

Sex & Relationship Expert

Jess O’Reilly began working as a sexuality counsellor in 2001 and she has never looked back! Her PhD studies involved the development of training programs in sex education for teachers and her education and undergraduate degrees focused on equity and sexual diversity.

Her training includes courses in counselling skills, resolving sexual concerns, sex education, clinical sexology, sexual development, sex and disability, group therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
Alongside her academic and television credits, Dr. Jess is also an accomplished writer and her first Hot Sex Tips, Tricks and Licksis already a best-seller. Her engaging and informative articles reach huge audiences through publication with iVillage (a site attracting over 30 million visitors per month), Pink and Teal, Eligible Magazine and Carnal Nation

Dr. Jess’ work experience includes contracts with school boards, social services agencies, community health organizations and private corporations. A sought-after speaker, her sessions always attract a full-house at conferences and entertainment events alike.

Dr. Stacey L Grossman, BSs, MD, FRCSC

Obstetrician and Gynaecologist

Specializing in Minimally Invasive Surgery, Urogynaecology

& Pelvic Floor Reconstruction

Dr. Stacey L Grossman is a Urogynaecologist who specializes in minimally invasive surgery (MIS). At the University of Toronto, she earned a Doctor of Medicine and completed her Obstetrics and Gynaecology Residency. She recently completed her Minimally Invasive Gynaecology & Urogynaecology Fellowship at Sunnybrook Health Science Centre and the University of Toronto.

Dr. Grossman joined the Mackenzie Health department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in 2012. She previously practiced out of the MD-Direct Executive Medical Clinic and was a locum at St. Josephs Health Centre, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre and Mount Sinai Hospital. She is one of just a few specialists in Ontario who can perform Urogynaecology MIS procedures. She is also very passionate and involved in her work with Save a Child’s Heart.

Dr. Michelle Crispe,PhD

Chiropractor and Personal Trainer

As a skinny kid with asthma, Michelle never expected to excel in the athletic domain. Despite these challenges, she went on to compete in volleyball at the rep level, basketball and rugby at the varsity level(OAU CIS All Star) and threw javelin at the national level. She has worked hard on her physique over the past 14 years and competed in amateur natural bodybuilding earning a Pro Card with the IDFA. She placed first in her most recent competition with the UFE.
Michelle and her partner began their own health and wealth consulting company in 2008. Dr. Crispe believes that the secret to success lies within the 6 inches between your ears and spends her time spreading this gospel to patients and clients as well as empowering them to make better, more educated, health choices. She is part of the integrated team at Clear Medicine alongside New York Time Bestselling Author Dr. Natasha Turner where there is a focus on Hormonal Balance, detoxification, whole foods as well as high quality supplements & exercise.
Michelle’s individualized approach has helped hundreds of men and women burn the fat, build muscle, gain confidence, overcome health barriers and create the physique and life of their dreams.

Dr. Oren Amitay,PhD, C.Psych

Registered Psychologist & Media Consultant

Dr. Oren Amitay is a registered psychologist who, since 2000, has worked with a diverse group of clients and patients ranging in age from adolescence to the senior years through individual, couples, family and group counseling. He has frequently appeared in court as an expert witness with respect to his assessments of parenting capacity, psychological/personality functioning, emotional intelligence and standard intelligence. He has also taught 20 different psychology courses over 140 times at five universities over the past 14 years, including Psychology of Human Sexuality, Psychology of Gender, and Positive Psychology and Personal Growth. Dr. Amitay has worked with virtually every major TV, radio and newspaper outlet in Canada, discussing hundreds of different issues and stories. Government and private companies/organizations have also hired him for his ability to communicate complex issues in a very engaging and dynamic manner in “plain English.”